Page:Hamel Telegraph history 1859.djvu/68

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66

01837. Searching in the vocabulary for the meaning of these numbers, it was found that they were to express:

"Successful experiment with telegraph September 4, 1837."

The triumph was immediately sent for publication to the editor of the last mentioned newspaper, and also to Professor Silliman at Newhaven, the editor of the"

American Journal of Science and Arts," and with it was sent a representation of the wonderful production. It is to be seen on page 168 of the 23rd volume of the said Silliman's Journal; also in the London Mechanics Magazine of the 10th of February, 1838.

Morse wrote at that time: " I assert to be the first proposer and inventor of electro-magnetic telegraphy, namely, on the 19th October, 1832, on board the packet Sully, on my voyage from France to the United States. . . . All telegraphs in Europe are, without one exception, invented later than mine."

So spoke the painter Morse in America, after having with the machine, which Dr. Gale had assisted him to construct, on the 4th September, 1837, obtained the described poor result. He claimed priority to everything done in Europe in the department of telegraphy. His, for practical purposes, worthless result he had obtained four weeks